Offside (17 page)

Damn, that would be awesome.
A smile crept across her lips. If only she could have done that when Hunt had touched her, she wouldn’t have had to run out like a coward. Wouldn’t have felt like a victim. “I’d like that.”

“Good girl. I think Scott is volunteering at a women’s shelter as part of his new ‘image.’ Letting chicks beat on him. I’ll see if I can get you in.” Dominik brushed her hair away from her face. “Listen to me, little one. You should be proud of yourself. Months ago, just me touching you, or coming too close, would send you into a panic. But you’re okay with it, aren’t you?”

“I am.” Somehow, the warmth of Dominik’s hands on her flesh made her feel bigger. Stronger. She put her hand over his on her cheek. “Thank you. This . . . I needed this.”

“And I needed to give it to you. You said you wanted to help me, and this has. I like being able to focus on things I can change.” Dominik moved closer, smiling as he pressed a light kiss on her forehead. “I don’t know the details, and I don’t need to unless that’s something you want to share with me. What’s important is you reclaiming what was taken from you. You are a strong, talented young women. You have so much to offer, and I’m more than happy to help you see that.”

After feeling so low, so pathetic, just a few words from Dominik gave her a new perspective. Hunt was just a stupid guy who hadn’t even known the impact his actions would have. The whole ordeal was over, and Dominik had helped her move beyond the little setback.

But there was pain in his eyes, hidden behind his determination to help her. A pain she couldn’t ignore. She slid her hand down over his. “I think I can talk to you, Dominik. Tell you everything. So long as you promise to do the same.”

He smiled, a sad, lonely smile. “I will. I promise. But not today.”

He’d said Oriana was leaving. And he loved the woman so much, it must be impossible to process right now. Tomorrow he would still be here. And so would she. With all he was doing for her, it felt really good to know he’d accept her giving something back.

“You know my number, Sir.” She blushed, not sure if that sounded bad. How socially inept could she be? “I mean—”

“I know what you mean, pet.” Dominik chuckled, then gave her a little hug before stepping back. “And I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Good.
Akira sat back in her seat as Jami and Dominik climbed into the front seats and they headed out. She still felt the echo of a strange man’s hands on her body, but flashes of Scott hitting the man, of Jami and Dominik at her side, of . . . of Ford enraged because he cared about what happened to her . . .

Altogether, it gave her something she’d never had before. She wasn’t dealing with this alone. And she had something to offer.

Dominik had turned out to be exactly what she needed. Maybe she could do the same for him.

“I
left you alone for not even an hour! You were supposed to show the guys how dedicated you are!”

Laying his swollen hand in his lap, Scott tightened his grip on the steering wheel with the other and bowed his head, trying to look appropriately contrite as Stephan continued his lecture about what had happened at the gym.

The man had called him early that morning, again and again, leaving messages every time, reminding him how precarious his position with the team was. 5:00 a.m. had seemed insane, so Scott had tried to ignore him. But by 5:30 he couldn’t sleep anymore. Couldn’t set aside how badly he’d fucked things up for himself. He’d gotten dressed and snuck out of Zach’s house, leaving a note so the man wouldn’t think he was running out on him and Becky for something better. Because he wouldn’t get better. Didn’t want it if it was out there.

Stephan made sure all his shit was out of Vanek’s place, then dragged him to a bunch of stores the second they were open. Forced him to donate half his clothes to Goodwill, then spent most of the morning lecturing him on how he’d present himself from this point on. Sounded good, but when Stephan had left him at the gym, he’d kinda forgotten everything. Just gone with the flow. The guys had been cool, and Akira was a sweet little thing. Flirting with her had been a nice break, even though he knew nothing would come of it. Becky and Zach were still on his mind, and even as he played loose and relaxed, he couldn’t stop wondering how they’d take the note. Had he said too much? Not enough?

“You’re determined to make this difficult.”

Of-fucking-course.

Scott made a face as he drove himself and Stephan to the new condo the man wanted him to look at. If he wasn’t fucking someone, he was nothing but a goddamn problem. He hated summer. It wasn’t like he had anyone to visit besides his brother. And he’d never see his brother unless he had to. Because their relationship was one-sided. Something he’d accepted a long time ago. Jimmy never called unless he needed something. Which was fine, because Scott hadn’t been able to be there for Jimmy as a kid, no matter how hard he’d tried. They’d been in foster care together, but what good had that done? Scott had gotten all the attention from their foster mother, because he was “prettier” and “eager to please.” And Jimmy had hated him for it.

“I’d have a better life if someone had done for me what she did for you.”

Maybe Jimmy would. Or maybe he’d be even more of a wreck. Scott obviously wasn’t doing all that well, despite his advantages.

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Yeah. I’m an idiot. Something, something, something. I need to do better. Yadda, yadda, yadda.” Scott parked and slouched in his seat. “Oh, yeah. And I shouldn’t be fighting.”

Stephan groaned. “I’m not being paid enough for this. You do realize you’re not a fifteen-year-old boy, do you not? Fighting on the ice is one thing, but it’s ridiculous for you to be brawling with other players in a public gym.”

No shit?
“Got it.”

Lips pursed, Stephan regarded him steadily for a few moments. “You never told me why you were fighting with Mr. Hunt.”

Scott snorted. Talking to Stephan reminded him of talking to his principal in high school.
“Why can’t you get along with the other children, Mr. Demyan?”

“Because Hunt’s an asshole.”

As Scott got out of the car and headed toward the large, red wood and gold trim double doors of the condominium, Stephan clipped alongside him at a half run, barely able to keep up to his long strides.

“There has to be a reason, Scott.”

“Does there?”

“Yes. And if you tell me, perhaps I can work with it. Put a positive spin on the situation.” Stephan made a sharp, irritated sound. “Was Mr. Hunt doing or saying anything that would justify you attacking him?”

“Yep.”

“Would you care to elaborate?”

I am going to strangle this man.
Why the hell couldn’t he let it go? Jaw clenched, Scott stopped short and glared down at his nosy fucking team-appointed babysitter. “Does it sound like I want to elaborate? Can’t you take a fucking hint? I get that I shouldn’t be fighting, and I promise I won’t do it again. Drop it.”

“I’m not here to make this pleasant for you, Scott. Please step aside.” Stephan’s eyes narrowed, and he stared at Scott until Scott let him pass. “I’m here to make sure you don’t lose your job. Which I can’t do if you won’t speak to me when things like this happen. Reporters will hear about this, and without some kind of statement from you, they will assume the worst. And so will Mr. Keane.”

“Let them. I’m not making a statement about this. That poor kid—” Scott scowled and snapped his mouth shut. He avoided Stephan’s expectant look as he stepped into the elevator. “I’ll talk to Keane if you want, but that’s it.”

“And what exactly will you say to him?”

“I’ll tell him why I gave Hunt a black eye.” The satisfying throb in his fist brought a smile to his lips. He clenched and unclenched it, snorting at Stephan’s disapproving frown. “And volunteer to give him another.”

* * * *

“Oh. My. God. That was . . .” Becky stretched, her head heavy as she shielded her eyes and found the clock by the bed. Almost noon. Sleeping in this late felt so deliciously naughty, right up there with sex and Belgian chocolates. She smiled as she leaned up on her elbow to look down at Zach. He slid his hand into her hair and pulled her down for a kiss. She moaned against his lips as her blood caught fire. “You’re corrupting me.”

“Not yet.” He tugged at her bottom lip with his teeth. “But very soon.”

Letting out a low purr, she smoothed her hand over his chest. “Why not now?”

He nodded toward his night table. “Because your phone’s been buzzing for a while—and before you panic, it wasn’t Casey or Patrick. I would have woken you up.”

“Okay . . .” The bed was so comfortable, and she loved being here with him, but she wasn’t sure she liked him choosing not to let her know someone had called. Even though he’d checked to make sure it wasn’t her daughter, it could still be important. She sat up, holding the blanket to her chest, turning her head so he wouldn’t see her frown. Maybe getting involved with a hockey player wasn’t such a good idea after all. Maybe he didn’t understand that she, unlike him, still had responsibilities year-round.

As she picked up her phone, he rose behind her and caught her wrist. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I need to—”

“A little honesty, pet.” He caught her chin and studied her face. “You’re angry.”

Her lips thinned as she pushed off the bed. “Actually, yes, I am. I enjoyed spending the night, but I have a job. Family. I don’t appreciate you deciding whether or not I need to take a call!”

The room was too dark and cozy. She strode up to the curtains, throwing them open to flood the room with blazing light even as she checked her phone. The number was unfamiliar, but there were several messages.

Listening to them had her even more aggravated. Scott’s image consultant wanted to meet with her to discuss a statement to downplay his “latest public stupidity.” Snapping her fist against her thigh, she spun around to glare at Zach. “Scott’s not here?”

“No. He left early this morning.” Zach stood and pulled on his jeans. While she dressed, he propped his shoulder against the bedroom doorframe, watching her. He didn’t speak again until she moved to walk by him. He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Becky—”

“What is it, Zach? I’m in a bit of a hurry. I can’t very well go represent the team like this.” She gestured to the rumpled jeans and T-shirt, utterly disgusted with herself now. This wasn’t like her. Running late, dressed all wrong, completely frazzled.
I’m too old for this!

But then Zach looked at her, with his pale green eyes telling her before he said the words, how sorry he was. “You’re right. I screwed up, and I had no right to make that decision for you. This isn’t how I want things to be between us. I want us to fit into one another’s lives, not complicate them. I’m sorry.”

Damn it.
If he’d done the typical man thing, apologizing just to shut her up, she could have walked out that door without looking back. But he meant every single word. She shook her head, fighting to hold back a smile. How could she stay mad at him?

“I forgive you.” She patted his scruffy cheek, then rose up on her tiptoes for a quick kiss. “Just don’t do it again.”

He chuckled, hooking his finger to the back of her jeans before she could skirt away. “One thing first.”

“Yes?”

His breath on the back of her neck stirred all the tiny hairs. His low voice in her ear made her breath catch. “You’re fucking sexy when you’re all worked up.”

She swallowed, suddenly not sure she really wanted to rush out. “I really shouldn’t be shouting at my Dom.”

“Ah, but it’s allowed when your Dom’s being an idiot.” His lips brushed the length of her throat. “You have a busy day ahead of you, but I’d like you to call when you have some free time. Let me know when you want me to help you paint.”

“It won’t be today.” She bit her bottom lip. Unless she skipped dinner and . . . she glanced up at him over her shoulder. “Actually, I don’t have to—”

“No. Keep whatever plans you have, and I’ll do the same.” He lowered his hand to the base of her spine, nudging her forward. “I have a meeting with my agent tomorrow and my physical therapist. Does Wednesday work for you?”

Two days? Why did it seem so long? She wasn’t a teenage girl who absolutely had to see her boyfriend every single day. Spending all this time with him had spoiled her.

Letting out a long sigh, she nodded. “Wednesday would be perfect. My stuff is being delivered to the house, so you can help me bring it in. I’ll ask Scott if he wants to help too.”

“Or we can ask one of the other guys.”

Becky pressed her lips together. Scott taking off obviously bothered Zach. She glanced over at the sofa, grinning as she spotted a folded paper on top of the rumpled blanket. Flipping it open, she laughed and read it out loud. “‘Sorry I had to take off, my IC was on my ass. Call you later? Thanks for letting me hang out. Looking forward to doing it again.’ Wasn’t that considerate of him?”

“Yeah. Not like him at all.” Zach folded his arms over his chest, one brow arched. “I won’t tell you not to see him, if that’s what you choose to do, but please be careful. Once he has you—”

“He can’t have me.” Her phone buzzed again. She hurriedly pulled on her running shoes, blowing Zach a kiss as she checked the number. Scott’s image consultant. Again. She really had to stop stalling.
Responsible adult, Becky. Pull yourself together.
“Until further notice, I’m yours.”

“Until further notice?” Zach gave her a hooded look. “I like knowing that you’re mine. I take it that means there are limits to Scott showing how sorry he really is?”

“Absolutely.” She answered her phone and quickly asked the IC to hold for a moment. Then she winked at Zach. “And when you two make amends, I get to watch.”

* * * *

The reporters hovered outside the conference room, reminding Scott of rats waiting for the cat to leave so they could pick up scraps of trash. Stephan was on his phone again, keeping a respectful distance so Scott and Keane could talk. Not being a fucking nuisance for once. Nice change.